---
title: "How do I connect my AI provider and use plan credits first?"
description: "Connect your own provider for writing now or keep it ready for when plan credits run out."
url: https://help.pixelclaw.ai/en/articles/16-how-do-i-connect-my-ai-provider-and-use-plan-credits-first
collection: "FAQs"
updated: 2026-11-03
language: en
---

# How do I connect my AI provider and use plan credits first?

Connect your own provider for writing now or keep it ready for when plan credits run out.

1.  As a Blog Site owner or admin, go to **Settings → Integrations → Writing model and billing** and turn on **Use my own AI keys**.
    
2.  Open **OpenRouter** if your key is from OpenRouter, or open **Other AI providers** and pick the service that issued it. Use that service’s setup link if needed. Enter the key only in its protected field and select **Connect**.
    
3.  Under **Models your team can use**, select the writing models you want and save the provider’s models.
    
4.  Select **Only after my plan’s AI credits run out** to use available credits first. If the next writing step costs more than your remaining balance, an eligible saved model can take over the entire step. For example, with two credits left and a more expensive draft, that draft uses your own key and the two credits remain. If there is no eligible key and model, the step can stop. To use your key now, leave the option unchecked and choose a model labeled for your key.
    

You do not need to send a key to anyone. For the full walkthrough, see [connect your AI provider](https://help.pixelclaw.ai/en/articles/5-connect-your-ai-provider-and-choose-a-writing-model.md).

## Related

- [How many AI credits does it take to write a blog post?](https://help.pixelclaw.ai/en/articles/9-how-many-ai-credits-does-it-take-to-write-a-blog-post.md)
- [Do unused AI credits roll over? What happens if I run out?](https://help.pixelclaw.ai/en/articles/10-do-unused-ai-credits-roll-over-what-happens-if-i-run-out.md)
- [Does each Blog Site get its own AI credits?](https://help.pixelclaw.ai/en/articles/11-does-each-blog-site-get-its-own-ai-credits.md)
- [I used my own AI key. Why did PixelClaw still use credits?](https://help.pixelclaw.ai/en/articles/12-i-used-my-own-ai-key-why-did-pixelclaw-still-use-credits.md)
- [Where can I check a credit charge or refund?](https://help.pixelclaw.ai/en/articles/13-where-can-i-check-a-credit-charge-or-refund.md)